Easy stud rack

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a racking system having two formed racks on opposing or adjacent studs in a wooden structure. More specifically, each formed rack has a plurality of raised sections creating slots there between. By aligning the slots horizontally between the two racks, one or more shelves may be inserted into the horizontally opposing slots.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on Provisional Application No. 60/541,658, filed Feb. 4, 2004, entitled Easy Stud Rack

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a racking system for utilizing the space between studs in a home, garage, or business.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,797 discloses a shelving for installation between studs that extends beyond the front edges of the studs, and require spikes or screws to support the shelves during installation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,190 discloses a modular display system including partitions with readily engageable shelves, hangers, media and display boards and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,570 discloses a communication equipment relay rack. The rack comprises a pair of spaced parallel upright columns. A mounting ear is secured to each upright column at a selected height on the respective column.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,205,934 and 6,675,725 both discloses many embodiments of a support and related shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a racking system having two formed racks on opposing or adjacent studs in a wooden structure. More specifically, each formed rack has a plurality of raised sections creating slots there between. By aligning the slots horizontally between the two racks, one or more shelves may be inserted into the horizontally opposing slots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a rack of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the system of the present invention, with opposing racks on opposing studs and a variety of shelves arranged at a variety of levels; and

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a rack of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the rack of FIG. 6, showing the U shape of this embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the rack of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a rack 10 of the present invention is shown. Rack 10 is preferably a formed rack of molded plastic such as polypropylene; however, other materials may be used. Rack 10 is preferably a rectangular shape, with raised sections 12 defining a plurality of equally spaced slots 14. Preferably there are at least two holes 16 for attaching the rack 10 by nails or screws to a stud.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, preferably the rack 10 has two sides (S) and two ends (E). The width (W) of rack 10 is less than the 4 inch dimension of a standard 2×4 stud. The length (L) of the sides of rack 10 may be from about 6 inches to about 8 feet. Raised sections 12 are spaced parallel to the ends (E) or across the width of rack 10 and at equally spaced distances to define slots 14 of about 13/16 inches in height.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates the racking system of the present invention. Two racks 10 are mounted on opposing studs 20, meaning on one side of one stud 20′ and the opposite side of the next stud 20″ (FIG. 5). The slots or spaces 14 are made to accept existing 1×4 (21), 1×6 (23), 1×8 (25), 1×10 (27) or 1×12 (29) boards cut to the correct length. The flexibility of the system of the present invention allows one to select shelves for an entire garage wall, that has not been sheet rocked, without requiring the shelves to be nailed or screwed into a fixed location. As needs change the boards may be rearranged or boards of larger or smaller size may be used or more or less boards used on the wall. Also as illustrated by the 1×10 boards (27) that extend beyond the studs, the boards may be aligned in slots 14 at the same horizontal level and the extending surfaces provide a surface for long items, e.g. fishing poles and the like. By removing existing shelves and sheet rock (exposing studs), pantries or closets may employ the system of the present invention to minimizes wasted space.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in rack 10′, Rack 10′ is U shaped (see FIG. 7); however, the parallel surfaces, of rectangular shape, have raised sections 12 defining a plurality of equally spaced slots 14. The U shape allows the rack 10′ to slide over a stud. When two adjacent studs have racks 10′ installed, essentially the same racking system is provided as that using racks 10.

The above description of the present invention is not limited to the dimensions or to requiring 2×4 studs. For example, the system may be manufactured to accept thinner boards, e.g. plywood, for lighter duty applications. 

1. A rack for a racking system for providing shelving between studs comprising: a single formed rack of rectangular shape with a length substantially greater than its width and having raised sections defining spaced slots across its width.
 2. A rack according to claim 1 wherein said width is less than 4 inches
 3. A rack according to claim 1 wherein the slots are approximately ¾ inches in height.
 4. A rack according to claim 1 which is made of molded plastic.
 5. A rack according to claim 4 wherein said plastic is polypropylene.
 6. A rack for a racking system for providing shelving between studs comprising: a three dimensional molded plastic rack, each dimension having a rectangular shape, the first rectangle having the width of the stud, the other two rectangles at 90° to said first rectangle and parallel to each other, said other rectangles having a length substantially greater than its width and having raised sections defining spaced slots across its width.
 7. A racking system for providing shelving between two 2×4 studs comprising: a single molded plastic rack of rectangular shape with a length substantially greater than its width, of less than 4 inches, and having raised sections defining spaced slots across its width mounted on one stud face; and a second single molded plastic rack of rectangular shape with a length substantially greater than its width, of less than 4 inches, and having raised sections defining spaced slots across its width mounted on the opposing face of the next stud. 